I have a friend with lung cancer. It is financially destroying them and they are going to have to sell their house. I'd like to do a fundraiser but have no idea where to start. They live in an itty bitty town about 30 minutes from me. I have a good 50 people that we worked with that I can contact to come to the fundraiser but it would need to be here, in my town, not my friend's hometown.

My first thought is to band the community together. You say there are 50 people that can come. Have each of them bring all their unwanted (but nice) items, along with baked goods. Advertise in your local pennysaver, making sure to note that all proceeds will go directly to your friend's Doctor bills. Also, have a donation box, and someone to write out receipts (for tax purposes, as it is a donation).

Churches really are best for these things, but as she's not a member, I'd go to any local facility that she's affiliated with, and ask for a donation of their grounds/parking lot for the event.

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Another idea: Many franchised businesses do fundraising. Coldstone's Ice Cream & McDonalds regularly do them. They will take your "staff" of helpers, and let them work behind the counter, all the while, donation a percentage to the fund.

Contact the American Cancer Society. You may find a site on line with a google. Or The American Lung Society - if there is one. Good Luck to your friend. Sorry to read about the illness & toll on bills. My best.

Added: Re Housing, try contacting, by phone, local County Agencys in her area for assistance - shelter, medical, food etc. There can be long wait lists -- perhaps get the paperwork started ASAP. Presuming her insurance has run out, or she may not have any. Contatct the Social Security Admin. - and if necessary apply for SSDI. Hope that helps.

Thanks all. The one son is a firefighter and we're thinking about a pancake breakfast. The other son is in a band and the band would be willing to play for free.....I make beaded jewelry and would be willing to make a bunch to sell.

*&$%^# - why can't people just put where they live (at least the city, state and/or country) in their profile without making people have to go out and try to figure it out!

Since it appears you live somewhere in the USA Angie - you might check out the American Cancer Society website, or the American Lung Association - they both have State associations but we don't know what state you live in - so I can't give you links to those ... you'll just have to ferret those out from the National Org websites (use those contact us buttons and send them an email). But - I'm sure that using the contact info from either/both website(s) they can give you some ideas.

Don't know where your friend lives - no idea where you live - what might be totally feasible in one situation would be totally unrealistic in another. How much money are you trying to raise ...how many people in the community? People who live in your "friend's" community are more likely to help than someone living in a town 30-minutes away. However - if they live in an "itty bitty town" - funds and resources there are going to be limited.

I applaud your attempts to help your friend - and trust me, I DO know what cancer treatments cost ... it was costing my Dad about $700/month over what his insurance paid - and he had totally awsome insurance!.

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"It ain't what you don't know that gets you in trouble. It's what you know for sure that just ain't so." - Mark Twain

Is there a Salvation Army in your area? They may be able to help out also.

You might try to enlist the help of business in and around your area. Have them donate items or gift certificates........not only will they be supporting a good cause but its free advertisement for their business. Have an auction to sell the items you receive. Also, contact the local radio and television stations and plead for their help too.

Make it a full event and enlist everyone you can. Have the firefighters have the pancake breakfast. Have the local ladies have a bake sale. Have the auction and also a social gathering with the band.

Put out as many money cans as you can at businesses. Make up signs and stand out at intersections and ask for assistance.......granted get permission from the local law enforcement.

How about a community yard sale or mystery box lunch auction, you and your friends put mystery foods in paper bags, decorated boxes (baked goods, lunches, whatever) then auction them off to the high bidder, did it for SPCA once and raised a bit, was fun. Can't think of anything to raise a really huge amount though.... sorry.

I've seen (& participated) in bowl-a-thons, benefit concerts, spaghetti suppers (or some other meal), etc. Get the local newspaper/radio stations to do announcements. Set up an account with a local bank. These are all things that you can pull together quickly.